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Meanwhile, Erik came out after a couple of hours work, noticed it raining outside and though something hot would do him good and see if Christine would join him. He knocked on her door many times, no answer. Opened it and couldn't find her. "Must be downstairs.", he thought to himself. So he traveled down the steps and could not find her. Mrs. Stanton asked if he was looking for Christine. "Yes, do you know where she has gone?" She then remembers she went on a walk after breakfast and took on fright on the realization that she hadn't returned yet and it was raining out. At this, Erik grabbed his cloak and stormed out. Grabbing his horse from the stable outside he headed out through the town toward the outskirts frantically yelling in urgency, "Christine! Christine!" Yet no response or movement was seen or heard. As he traveled toward a large hill he noticed some thing by the tree there. As her came close he realized who it was. He rushed on the horse screaming, "Christine! Oh God!", he jumped off his horse without further thought and knelt down by her body and took her in his arms, she was unresponsive. He jumped on the horse holding onto her and rushing back home. Erik quickened his pace to the house and up the stairs to her quarters. Mrs. Stanton appeared in the room right behind him, "Oh dear Lord! Is the poor child alright? She looks like death!" she exclaimed. She rushed past Erik to Christine and starting taking of her wet clothing, "You better go and get the physician, while I try and dry her off. Dear me, I hope she didn't catch pneumonia! Hurry!" Without another word, Erik was off, only hoping she'd still be alive when he returned. Mrs. Stanton then worked her best to rid Christine of her soaked clothes, getting her in dry ones and brought up some hot water and rags to try and warm the child up.

Half an hour later, Erik returned with the physician right behind him. Erik dashed to Christine's side, checking on her with a look of concern. The physician asked Erik if her wouldn't mind leaving the room so he could do his thorough examination of the girl. Erik stood outside the room, pacing the floor, for what seemed like house. "Oh please, God, don't take her from me! I've waited too long for this to happen!" The physician then appeared, Erik grabbed him "Is she alright? Will she leave?" The physician replied, "We won't know for some time yet, we'll need to wait it out. She has a high fever and fluid is in her lungs. I'm afraid she has a bad case of pneumonia and we can only wait and do our best to treat her accordingly and be patient. I have given the housekeeper instructions as to her treatments and medications and what to watch for. Contact me if anything changes, until then she needs lots of rest and water. Keep close watch on her. I am sorry, it is all I can do for now." With that the physician left. Erik rushed right into the room where Mrs. Stanton was attending to her. "I'll get some more rags, watch her for me.", she left the room. Erik rushed to Christine's bed side, grabbed her hand, kissing it. "Why must you be so foolish and walk in such weather? Why? Oh Christine! I love you. Don't leave me, please just don't. You're my only reason for living anymore. I couldn't bare losing you." Tears ran down his face hitting her hand. Hours passed and Erik soon drifted asleep in the chair next to her bed, always on edge with every moan Christine gave throughout the night.

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Days passed, with slow improvement from Christine. By the next week she was nearing full recovery, the doctor was quite pleased with the recovery she made. 2 weeks passed, sickness gone but her leg was still taking time to heal. When she needed to get up, she had crutches. Erik was by her side constantly waiting on her every whim; reading, singing, feeding her, whatever she needed he was there. Slowly, things returned to normal, and their love grew more and more for each other.

A/N: I have no excuse for not getting this up sooner except laziness and lack of inspiration. I will try not to let it go so long next time. Enjoy and thank you for the feedback!